Want to experience the postcard image of vintage Vegas? Look no further than the Riviera. Opened on April 20, 1955, this enduring hotel has six decades tucked firmly under its belt.Located toward the north end of the Las Vegas Strip, the Riviera isn't in the heart of the action, but it's not too far from some popular destinations. This is what you'll find in the immediate radius: Wynn Las Vegas and Encore to the south, SLS Las Vegas (as well as the Rock in Rio festival grounds) to the north, and the Las Vegas Convention Center to the east. All of these places are just minutes away by car or take about 20 minutes to get to on foot. And right next door is the Peppermill Restaurant & Lounge, another enduring Vegas gem (be sure to go over and sip a drink beside the kitschy sunken fire pit).Here's the thing about the Riviera: it isn't one of those megaresorts that will cost you a pretty penny. Think of it more as a place to crash for the evening. Accommodations are basic and clean, plus there are a few cool things to do here.First of all, be sure to check out the resort's star-lit glass exterior with pulsating neon at night. It really is beautiful to see.Speaking of those Vegas days gone by, the list of celebrities who have appeared at the Riviera is truly impressive. When it opened, Liberace was the featured performer. Also gracing the resort's showrooms and lounges were Milton Berle, Mickey Rooney, Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, George Burns, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Liza Minelli, Joan Rivers (who had audiences doubled over in laughter) and many, many others. So have a look at a display near the back of property that pays tribute to these legends.Sitting in the Starlite Theater or Le Bistro Lounge today feels like a blast to the past, although the entertainment lineup is very different. Headlining the Riviera is longtime magician Dirk Arthur. Several big cats (Bengal tigers, a snow leopard, a panther and a bobcat...oh my!) and a few feathered friends are featured in his show "Wild Illusions!" If you're after laughs, head up to the Riviera Comedy Club, where you can see the one-man production "40 Is Not the New 20" starring comedian Matt Kazam.Or for one of the city's most longstanding and sensuous topless revues, go to "Crazy Girls," which has been playing at the Riviera for more than 25 years. (Tip: It's supposed to be good luck to rub the bottoms on the bronze statue of the Crazy Girls' butts in front of the Riviera. You'll look a little pervy doing it, we know, but if you snap a photo and post it on your Facebook page, the number of "Likes" you get will amaze you...we guarantee it.)The Riviera's most upscale restaurant is R Steak & Seafood, where you can order classic meat and fish dishes. The Wicked Vicky Tavern has great greasy eats (burgers, wings, pizzas and nachos) and a nice atmosphere for sports fans who want to catch a game. The Banana Leaf Cafe offers an interesting mix of Asian and American specialties. And there's a food court situated next to the Pinball Hall of Fame, where you can test your skills on pinball games dating back to the 1960s.The Riviera also has a fair-sized casino with some table games and lots of slots. There's a William Hill Race & Sports Book nestled just inside the Las Vegas Boulevard entrance. Although small, the resort's courtyard pool is charming thanks to large lawns (with real grass). In addition to a beauty salon and barber shop, there's a tattoo studio and a wedding chapel.Aside from being a great deal for budget travelers, there's another reason to stay at the Riviera. Four of the ultimate Vegas movies -- the Rat Pack original "Ocean's 11" (1960), Martin Scorsese's "Casino" (1995), the X-rated cult classic "Showgirls" (1995) and one of Chevy Chase's Griswold family adventures "Vegas Vacation" (1997) -- were filmed here. To explore the hallowed ground where some your favorite scenes were shot...well, now isn't that motivation enough for you to visit?

The ancient Romans knew how to party. They were so good at it they even had a god of overindulgence – Bacchus. In Las Vegas, Caesars Palace has been an embodiment of that Roman extravagance and luxury since it opened in 1966.That doesn't mean anything about this place is ancient though. Caesars Palace has changed and reinvented itself over the years and has always kept its opulent spirit.Caesars Palace is such a Las Vegas icon it has been featured in countless movies like "Rain Man," "Dreamgirls," "Rocky III," "The Guilt Trip," and maybe most famously, "The Hangover," where its main characters stayed and had that raging party.When in Las Vegas, we suggest you do as the Romans (and "The Hangover" guys) do and celebrate like royalty at Caesars Palace.Party seekers don't have to go far to find hot nightlife at the resort. Start out in the stylish Lobby Bar where famed mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim created eight premium and potent cocktails exclusively for the venue. Guests can literally rock the boat at Cleopatra's Barge atop a floating dance floor. Champagne lovers can get their fix at Fizz Las Vegas, an elegant lounge and bar designed in coordination with Elton John's partner David Furnish. And clubbers can party like nowhere else in Omnia Nightclub. Boasting an ornate four-story domed roof, this place has an ultra lounge, a high-energy main room, a mezzanine with private booths and a rooftop garden with amazing views of the Strip.We're quite sure Roman royalty liked to be entertained and Caesars Palace is home to some major headliners -- Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Reba with Brook & Dunn -- at the 4,100-seat Colosseum.Those who appreciate hidden gems won't want to miss the creative and irreverent show "Absinthe," which is all the rage amongst the hip crowd in Vegas. The adults-only show features a crazy cast of circus-style performers led by the lewdest ringmaster imaginable. Matt Goss, a swingin’ British crooner, performs a mix of Rat Pack-era standards with his own music in The Gossy Room at Cleopatra's Barge.Any good Roman party includes a feast and Caesars Palace is home to some of the finest chefs and restaurants in the city.The Forum Shops at Caesars was (and still is) home to the first celebrity chef in Las Vegas, Wolfgang Puck, with Spago. Plenty of other acclaimed chefs followed and opened restaurants at Caesars including Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, famed New York Italian eatery Rao's, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Michelin two-star restaurant Guy Savoy. In mid 2015, the London institution Mr Chow, known for its authentic Beijing cuisine and European-style service, will be a welcome addition.One of the dining must-dos at Caesars is the appropriately named Bacchanal Buffet, a mind-blowing array of more than 500 delectable dishes.If shopping is your indulgence of choice, The Forum Shops at Caesars doesn't disappoint. The shops boast elegant Roman architecture, animatronic statues, a faux cloudy sky that changes from day to night, top restaurants and shops from the most prestigious designers in the world.The casino at Caesars Palace is legendary whether you're a high roller or just want to play the slots. The race & sports book offers huge screens broadcasting all of the sporting action. And in a private enclave off the casino floor is Las Vegas' largest poker room, measuring 14,000 square feet. Players at Caesars are treated like royalty, with tableside food service and massages.The Romans might have been known for their wild parties but we bet they knew how to relax too. Caesars Palace has plenty of options for those looking for a little recovery. The beautiful Garden of the Gods pool complex has eight pools surrounded by stunning Italian architecture. We also recommend a visit to the luxurious Qua Baths & Spa where you can be pampered like a god or goddess.From the moment guests pass the majestic fountain at the front of Caesars Palace, it is clear that all roads lead to Rome. The hotel has paved a solid legacy as a world-class destination for dining, gambling, shopping, service, entertainment and nightlife.